Decorating a Blue Room: Bedroom or Living Room

Blue is the perfect color to decorate a room whether it's for an infant, a child or an adult. Blue comes in a variety of shades from the soothing pale blue to the jaunty seascape blue to the rich blue of a summer sky. The first step to decorating a blue room is to choose a theme whether it's painting the walls in blue or splashing the color throughout the room.

The Bedroom

The blue bedroom is ideal for young children, especially babies. Painting the walls a medium to light shade of blue creates a cool, restive atmosphere. A white ceiling keeps the room from feeling closed in; however, for the more creative, a blue ceiling with white wispy clouds across it can give the baby something to gaze at when they are in their crib or laying on the floor.

If the walls are done in blue, then be sure to coordinate any shades of blue in the room with the color of the walls. White can be used to offset the 'blueness.' Baby Looney Tunes sheets, comforter and window trimmings are ideal for their use of blue, while still providing a lot of white for contrast. Note in a room with blue walls, when the mini-blinds on the window (should be white mini-blinds, by the way) are closed, the room is not cast in a dim, but pleasant bluish light.

The color blue promotes relaxation, harmony as well as reducing emotional distress. It's an ideal color for the bedrooms of babies, toddlers and young children whether they are girls or boys.

The Living Room

Living areas with touches of blue create an inviting atmosphere. Living room walls may be painted blue, but it's not recommended unless the shade is very pale (not pastel, but pale). Blue furniture should not be too dark unless it's one or two pieces placed strategically. In the case of using dark blue furniture, wood accents or tables should be done in light tones or white to offset the dark color. Ideally, the main body of furniture will be done in neutral colors with a neutral colored carpet or wood floor.

Rugs can then be used throughout the room, using varying shades of blue. A nautical theme is popular, mixing dark blues with lighter accents. Throw pillows and blankets can then be used to spruce up furniture with window trims to add to the mixture. In order to maintain a lighter atmosphere, the darker shades should be used in smaller proportion. For example, dark blue candles on the mantle offset by lighter blues in photographs and paintings on the wall.

The Use of Blue

Blue is a fun color that can be jaunty, peaceful and ultimately create an atmosphere reminiscent of the ocean, the summer skies and relaxing in a warm bath. Emotionally, blue is a positive color and promotes internal harmony for both the home and the residents. If redecorating a room, consider changing the blue accents gradually in order to create the desired effect.